Applicator



April 1942- N. J. MOLL 2,281,367

APPLI CATOR Filed July 5, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l I 22 f, JWOZZ April 28, 1942- N. J. MOLL 2,281,367

APPLICATOR Filed July 3, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIAVIIIIVIIII IIA nimmmmmmmm grwemm Patented Apr. 28, 1942 cm'rfin STATES PATENT OFFICE 2.2mm I armoa'roa Norman J. non, Washington. n. 0. Application July 3. 1941, sa-n1 No; 4.1.0:: 1

4 Claims. 01. -13:)

This invention relates to an applicator and more particularly to that type generally known in the art as a fountain applicator.

Devices of this type 'are preferably of a char-7,

acter including a mounting connector-by means of which they may be readily associated with the dispensing neck or flange of a contalnerusually provided with a standardor universal preselected thread whereby they may be adapted to apply liquids, solutions, mixtures or emulsions, employed.

to clean or coat or both "clean and coat articles which may require either or both. I

While such devices maybe employed for use on many or variedjarticles, the most general application finds its outlet in the cleaning and coat. ing of shoes, purses and other similar articles of uid over the surface to which it is applied some-.

what in the nature of a massaging effect. To aid in achieving this result, many employ aplurality of variously shaped distributing and smoothing heads requiring predetermined serial operations involving special instructions followed by time consuming effort. Others, having single dispensing heads, lack distribution qualities while,

some are awkward in design and cannot supply,-

the liquid to portions of the above noted apparel where the surface configuration presents confining acute angles or curves.

In view of the foregoing, it, is an object of the present invention to provide an applicator of a character attachable to and detachable from dispensing containers and of such a design and construction as to have its-distributing face so disposed that the container may act as a convenient operating handle or handhold.

Another object resides in the provision of a structure such as to eifect ready relatively wide distribution of liquid as it is dispensed with a minimum of effort on the part of the user.

A further object contemplates a dispensing and distributing structure so shaped as to provide a plurality of diilerently shaped applying-portions capable of adaptation to sharp angular crevices or surface undulations of the: article to which the liquid is being applied.

Another object is 'to provide a-stnicture of the character, hereinbefore noted which is substantial-and durable and extremely efficient in service.

A further object embodies features directed to minimum effort in use, of even character with no attendant waste of the liquid while at the same time embodying a substantial, sturdyconstruction capable of fair pressure imposition if necessary or desirable.

Other and further objects will be readily apparent from the followlng'detaileddescription of several preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:;

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing container having one form of its applicator embodying features of. the present invention attached thereto and as it would be in position in- Figure 2 is an underside view of the applying face of the device with portions of the-interior indicated in dotted lines and only a fragmentary portion of the container shown; i t

Figure 3 is a vertical front end elevation the applicator;

Figure 1' is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectiontaken alongthe line H pf Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially along the line I-J ofFigure 4; Figure 61a a similar enlarged section taken along the line 6-8 of Figure 2;

Figure'fisasectionsimilartol igureoshowin.

another form'o'f applying device embodying coating and polishing bristles; and 5 Figure 8 is a fragmentary ':perspective view illustrating the form shown in-d igure 7 in use upon a s oe.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, there is illustrated at dispensing. container it having a liquid therein of any preferred or desired character. Container ll may have a narrow dispensing neck I! terminating at its outer end in a threaded flange While the container is shown as being a bottle, it is apparent that it may be a metal or plastic container of any desirable shape or size. It is also evident that the dispensing end or mouthneednot be screw-threaded since any variety of connections of a bayonettype or style may be employed. Thus, any term or expression hereinafter employed with reference to the mounting connection iscalculated to include any generally utilized type of connector.

One form of the applicator. generally, indicated at M, embodies a connecting part," incorporat ing a complemental internal portion adapted to cooperate with the end it of .the container. -lixtending from part I! is a tubular portion is terminatingin an angularly disposed peripheral has - tion of the applicator has been shown as beingof metal but it is obvious that it may be formed of a thermoplastic material or of any of the.

chemically derived plastics now in general use. Flange, II has moulded thereon or .suitably ,vuicanized or annealed thereto a plastic shoe is preferably .of resilient rubber so as to have somev flexibility but not enough to be unduly distended or misshapen, thus having just sufficient rigidity to maintain its original shape but capable of some yield under excessive pressure.

shoe i8 is formed with a baiile wall I! thereacrosswhich has a transverse slot or conduit II therein adjacent its rear portion providing the only communication between the interior of tube It and the underside of wall ll. The underside of shoe ll is provided with a plurality of longitudinal grooves or channels II, each having its rear end in communication with slot and extending forwardly to a point near the peripheral edge of shoe II but sufliciently short thereof so as not to weaken the structure of the shoe thereat.

A liquiddistributing plate 12 of a semi-rigid fabric'is attached to the underside of shoe I! by vulcanlzing, moulding or annealing and it is preferable that this plate be so impregnated or coated as to be liquid-proof. Substantially along the median line of each channel or groove 2!, plate 22 is provided with a plurality of apertures 21 preferably of. conical shape with the larger part at the top surface and the narrower end at the bottom surface so as to provide a nonclogs s dispensing oriflce.

0n the underside of plate 22 there is provided a fine brushing surface in the nature of a nap or pile 24 and this may be of such thickness as to provide for both liquid dispensing surface tension characteristics and polishing as may be desired.

To render the shoe and entire applicator head more adaptable to odd shaping of the object to which the liquid may be desired to be applied, the forward end of tube It preferably terminates in a taper 2i and shoe i8 is preferably straight edged at 26 for its entire length while the opposite edge is straight for a portion of its length but terminates at the forward narrow tip in a curve 21. Thus, the bottom of the applicator, although generally of triangular character, is irregularly so, with both a sharp tip at edge 26 and a rounded tip at 21, capable of entry into crevices normally inaccessible to, for example, a semi-spherical cylindricalor rectangular head. Obviously, the edges 28 and 21 maybe reversely shaped, if desired.

In use, the applicator is held by the user grasping the container Ill and when positioned against the article to be cleaned, the fluid will flow through the open mouth of the bottle into the hood or tube It and from there through the slot 2| and into the distributing channels 2|. The

fluid then flows evenly out through the tapered openings 23 onto the napped surface 2|. The napped surface when saturated is then evenly brushed across the surface of the article to apply the cleaning fluid thereto.

The ordinary of gravity is sumcient for the smooth operation of the applicator. but if a greater flow of fluid is required, a slight pressure of the applicator to the surface will bring forthaslightlylargerquantityofthefluid.

Referring now to a modifled form or adaptation of the invention more particularly illustratedinl'igures'land8,theupperportionof the structure shown is similar in all respects to that indicated in Figures 1-6, inclusive, down to and including the distributing shoe and for purposes of ready reference, like numerals are employed to indicate the like parts except for an added prime mark. Thus. portions i4, i1, ll, 2| and 26' are identical in character with the same parts in the flrst described modiflcation. The balance of the structure diflers with respect to the contact or wiping part which. in this case, is preferablya brush comprising a bristle-back I. having rows of bristles 20- suitably set therein. A plurality of conical dispensing apertures 23' are provided in the bristle-back ll to communicate with the grooves II to carry liquid in proper supply to the bristles 20' for uniform distribution to all of the bristles. In Figure 8, this form of the device is shown as it would be employed in actual use upon an article, in this case. a shoe 3..

It will be readily apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention hereinbefore described have all the essential desirable characteristics set forth in the foregoing general statement of the invention. Obviously, changes may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention or thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent'is:

l. A liquid applying device comprising an open-mouthed main hollow liquid receiving body terminating in a supporting flange, an elongated solid rubber yieldable backing member secured to said flange and extending across the open-mouth of said whereby the intermediate portion of said member is readily inwardly flexible. a plurality of liquid distributing conduits extending longitudinally of said member formed in the outer face thereof, the inner face of the backing member having a transverse slot providing communication between the hoilow body and the rear portions of said distributing conduits. a contact applicator part coextensive with the outer face of said backing member including a suppor s Part and a wiping part, said supporting part having a plurality of openings providing communication between said conduits and said W11 part whereby liquid from said main body will be evenly dispensed to substantially the entire Will Part.

2. A liquid applyin device comprising an open-mouthed main hollow liquid receiving body terminating in a supporting flange, an elongated solid rubber yieldable backing member secured to said flange and extending across the open-mouth of said body whereby the intermediate portion of said member is readily in wardly flexible, a plurality of liquid distribut-' ing conduits extending longitudinally of said member formed in the outer face thereof, the inner face of the backing member having a transverse slot providing communication between the hollow body and the rear portions of said distributing conduits, a contact applicator part coextensive with the outer face of said backing member including a supporting part and a wi ing part, said supporting part having vrestricted to yield such a quantity oi liquid to said wiping part as is demanded in response to withdrawal requirements.

3. A detachable liquid applying device comprising a hollow body open at one side, a solid rubber supporting block secured to said body across said open side in liquid-tight relation, longitudinal distributing conduits formed in the outer face 01' the rubber block, the inner face of the rubber block being formed with a transverse slot providing communication between adjacent one extremity of each of said conduits, a yieldable contact applicator part secured to the outer face of the rubber block and extending across the open sides of the distributing 4 said hollow body and the distributing conduits 20 conduits, said applicator part having a plurality 25 rubber block as to yield therewith in response to pressure applied thereto to vary the liquid delivery to the outer face of the applicator part.

4. A detachable liquid applying device comprising a hollow body open; at its bottom side, a solid rubber supporting block secured to said body across the open bottom side thereof in liquid-tight relation, longitudinal liquid distributing conduits formed in the bottom face of the rubber block, an integral horizontal baflle wall in the upper portion of the rubber block, said baflie wall being provided with a transverse slct providing communication between the hollow body and the distributing conduits adjacent the rear extremities of the latter, a yieldable contact applicator member secured to the bottom face of the rubber block across the open sides of the distributing conduits and having a plurality of openings arranged in alinement with the respective conduits, said member being so associated with the rubber block as to yield therewith in response to pressure applied thereto to vary the liquid delivery to the bottom face of the applicator member, the conduits and openings together being so shaped as to provide for predetermined flow of liquid therethrough but providing for increased flow in response to the aforementioned applied pressure.

NORMAN J. MOLL. 

